A Fan’s View of Basketball

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A unique point

Historically, professional sports teams would request new stadiums or arenas, and city, county, or sometimes state government officials would promptly initiate the process. However, the current environment has shifted significantly; municipalities are no longer readily approving such requests, and increased public opposition frequently influences outcomes, occasionally leading to compromise. Project Marvel, San Antonio's comprehensive downtown revitalization plan, includes provisions for a new arena for the Spurs and appears to have reached a significant milestone.

The advancement pertains to an agreement between the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the Spurs regarding a downtown arena. Despite this agreement, the proposal still requires formal approval and remains uncertain until such approval is secured. A primary concern is that, should the arena plan not be approved, the Spurs may consider relocation—a possibility underscored by precedent. For example, the NFL’s Raiders relocated to Las Vegas in 2020, and Major League Baseball’s Athletics are preparing to do the same; both teams were originally based in Oakland. While new stadium constructions were anticipated for these franchises, the Warriors’ move across the Bay represents a distinct scenario.

The college game on television

We have discussed the impact television played in the growth of the NBA, the same could be said for the college game. ESPN, CBS broadcast and sports network, TBS, TNT, Fox broadcast and sports network along with True TV are the key networks while the Big 10, SEC and ACC conferences provide coverage. In addition to those mentioned many of the streaming services also offer college basketball games. Once the college basketball season begins games are available 7 days a week and at all hours of the day and night.

The crème de la crème of course is the NCAA tournament a.k.a. March Madness, this 68 team tournament culminates with one team winning the championship of college basketball. What might be most interesting to readers televising college basketball began at a period when the number of viewers was quite small. The very first basketball game televised occurred February 28. 1940, a game between Pitt and Fordham was broadcast on W2XBS (later becoming WNBC). The game was played at the old Madison Square Garden since demolished, the estimated audience was measured between 400-1000. As for the game Pitt was the winner over Fordham 57-37. We must keep in mind at the time television was in its infancy and this was considered ‘experimental.’ A single game played much later would set the tone for ESPN and other networks that would later blossom. During the late 1960’s and early to mid-1970’s, UCLA was a dominate force in college basketball.

Led by All American Lew Alcindor, UCLA faced the University of Houston, led by Elvin Hayes, in a highly anticipated matchup at the Astrodome. On January 20, 1968, before an audience of 52,000 spectators, Houston secured a 71-69 victory, ending UCLA’s 47-game winning streak. At the time, Eddie Einhorn organized a consortium of television stations to create TVS Network, broadcasting the game to viewers across the nation. This overview concludes with the significant role that television has played in expanding the reach and popularity of college basketball.

A second career

Dick Barnett passed away in April at the age of 88, the 6-foot 4 left-handed guard played a significant role in the New York Knicks’ two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. Earlier in his career, while attending Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State), he helped his team secure three consecutive NAIA Tournament titles. While reports indicate that academics were not initially his main focus, this area become more prominent for him following his retirement from basketball. After retiring in 1973, Barnett continued his education, earning a master’s degree from NYU and a Ph.D. from Fordham University.

Barnett authored 20 books and established the Dr. Richard Barnett Center for Sports Education, Business and Technology. He also taught Sports Management at St. John’s University during his retirement. In addition to receiving further honors such as induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame, Barnett has successfully pursued a second career in academia. His later dedication to education surly must have influenced both his personal direction and the students he taught, reflecting a transition from his athletic achievements to contributions in the academic field. This serves as a recognition of Dr. Richard Barnett’s accomplishments in both basketball and academia. In 1959 the NBA draft was much more extensive than it is at the present time, Barnett was a 5th round draft choice by the Syracuse Nationals (now Sixers).

Why the hatred exists

I would be extremely proud of all my son’s if I were LaVar Ball. After all two of his three sons are playing in the NBA and are talented. With that said allow an explanation why the father has a vendetta against the Lakers.  The first of course might be the fact the Lakers drafted but then traded eldest son Lonzo. Do we believe the words of LaVar, he claims LiAngelo middle son was still enrolled at UCLA he received a “verbal promise” from Magic Johnson. Back then Magic was still working for the Lakers and making player personnel decisions. The promise was that the Lakers would draft LiAngelo, you might not remember the complete story, this is a short sanitized version. LiAngelo and a teammate were apprehended by the police for shoplifting while the team was in China. 

Eventually the matter was resolved but UCLA suspended him for the season which upset LaVar, LiAngelo declared for the draft and left school. When the NBA draft rolled around his name was not announced, since then he’s played in Lithuania, a pro league in SoCal, the Greensboro Swarm G-League and last season in the Mexican Basketball League. So that is the shorten version of the story, LaVar Ball continues to hold a grudge against the Lakers due to them refusing to sign his middle son. I have no method to validate my statement, I believe LiAngelo is a good basketball player but he must not be NBA quality. If he were talented enough surely some NBA team would have snap him up by now. LiAngelo is 26 years old certainly not old by basketball standards but the clock is ticking on his attempt to become an NBA player.